How Can I Tell I Need Surgery For a Deviated Septum?

Added on 30th January 2021 in Blog

Do I Need Surgery for a Deviated Septum?

Having irregularities in our facial features is common, and it’s rare that you’ll find a person who has a natural, functioning face. The nose, in particular, can be a problematic organ for many, and a common problem people face is a deviated septum. This is when the cartilage in the nose is slightly off-centre, restricting airflow through one side of the nose.

In most cases, a deviated septum won’t cause you too many severe medical concerns. However, if it starts to impact your everyday life, such as trouble sleeping, you may find yourself exploring the option of surgery to correct your deviated septum. Undergoing surgery on your septum, commonly known as septoplasty or septorhinoplasty, can help rectify respiratory issues and any other problems that are being caused by a deviated septum.

4 Signs You Need Surgery For A Deviated Septum

Respiratory Problems

One of the most common signs that you need surgery for a deviated septum is that you have regular respiratory problems. It may feel like airflow is being restricted, either when exercising or just as you go about your daily life, meaning that you find it a struggle to breathe properly. If you have this issue, it’s important that you discuss it with your doctor to determine whether a deviated septum is the cause of the problem.

Potential Disorders Of The Nasal

While sneezing is often nothing to worry about, excessive sneezing can be a sign of something more serious. Similarly, if your nose is often running or feeling blocked, there’s a possibility that you suffer from a deviated septum.

Nosebleeds

One of the more noticeable signs that you require rhinoplasty for a deviated septum is nosebleeds. As a nosebleed isn’t considered normal practice in everyday life, it’s likely a sign that there is some form of issue. If your nosebleeds are being caused by a disorder of the nasal structure, it can be easily rectified with a rhinoplasty surgery to realign the nose and correct its shape.

Struggling To Sleep

There are several reasons why you may suffer from a lack of sleep. While it may be down to something as simple as a stressful lifestyle, it could also be caused by issues with the nose and septum. If you are struggling to sleep due to a deviated septum, there’s a good chance that you will be experiencing some of the other common signs mentioned above.

What happens during septoplasty surgery?

During surgery for a deviated septum, your surgeon will trim excess cartilage and/or bone and may reattach pieces to help recentre the septum. The septoplasty procedure will take between 30 and 90 minutes and can be performed under general anaesthesia.

Is surgery for a deviated septum painful?

As the surgery is performed using a general anaesthetic, patients will feel no pain during the septoplasty operation. After your nostril reconstruction, it’s perfectly normal to feel discomfort in the sinuses for a few days. However, you shouldn’t expect to feel anything more than moderate pain.

How long does it take to recover from surgery on a deviated septum?

The initial week after deviated septum surgery will be spent resting; this should allow any initial swelling and mild pain to subside. It’s recommended that you wait until after this period to return to light activity or exercise.

The full healing process can take up to six months. This means you may continue to see improvements in your breathing as swelling reduces in the months after septorhinoplasty.

 

If you do want to explore the option of surgery to correct a deviated septum, we would recommend reaching out to book an initial consultation with our team. We’ll use this as an opportunity to fully understand your condition and lay out exactly how we can help you.

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